The culture around us tells us that spanking is no longer an acceptable form of discipline for children.
And unfortunately, we’re seeing the negative results of that philosophy in the upcoming generation of young people who have escaped any form of physical discipline in their upbringing.
Sadly, even many well-meaning Christians have abandoned spanking as a primary form of discipline with their children, despite the fact that it’s still the primary form of discipline found in the Word of God.
In the society in which we live today, it’s so easy for many parents to cave in and compromise on this issue for the sake of convenience or even political correctness. But regardless of what others may choose, let’s choose to stick with the Bible on this issue.
With that in mind, here are 3 reasons I still practice biblical discipline with my kids:
1. IT’S STILL IN THE BIBLE
While to many, the Bible may be nothing but an old, outdated book, it’s still to be the foundation of everything that we as Christians are to believe and practice, especially in the way we parent!
The only perfect parent who ever raised a perfect child was God, and we would be amiss to disregard His teachings on discipline for something we think might work better. Consider these words of wisdom for parents from the book of Proverbs…
Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
It’s just simply hard to argue with the Bible.
- Children need loving correction and discipline from their parents.
- The best and most biblical tool for physical discipline is some form of a rod. (rather than your hand or even your belt)
- Physical discipline is an evidence of parental love.
- Discipline and correction bring about wisdom and protection in the life of your child.
2. IT STILL WORKS
Proverbs 29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Proverbs 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
According to 29:17 there is rest and delight when discipline is enforced, but on the flip side, according to 19:18, there is potential for irreparable damage when we miss the window of opportunity to properly discipline in our children’s lives. And if discipline is neglected for too long, we can even be brought to a place of no hope.
Biblical discipline administered in a timely fashion with balance and love still works, regardless of what the world around us says. And while it is not the only form of discipline that can or should be used, we find it to be the primary form of discipline that God recommends in Scripture. And it’s always better than anything else that’s on the market or the magazine rack as the current discipline trend.
Most importantly, the great thing is that when it’s done right, it accomplishes its intended purpose of directing your child’s heart and life towards God. I practice biblical discipline because it still works.
3. IT STILL LEADS A CHILD TO SALVATION
Proverbs 23:13-14 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
One of the best ways to give your children a proper perspective of who God is is by holding them accountable for their actions and misbehavior. If kids grow up with parents who can be persuaded and manipulated out of ever enforcing their rules through discipline, those same kids will grow up without a real belief in having to be held accountable before God someday.
Kids who lack respect for authority will naturally lack respect for the ultimate authority of God, and consequently, will have more difficulty recognizing the wickedness of their own sinful heart and their need for personal salvation.
One of the greatest avenues that parents have for revealing their child’s sinful condition to them is during times of discipline. Consistent consequences and regularly showing them how their sin is truly against God opens their hearts for grace. And the ultimate end is found in “delivering their soul from hell.”
Simply put…
“Children who are biblically disciplined by loving parents are many steps ahead towards receiving God’s grace through salvation.”
One of the best gifts you can ever give your kids is consistent and loving discipline, because:
- It’s still in the Bible…
- It still works…
- And it still leads a child to salvation.
And what better end result could we possibly want than that?!
